Silver Jewelry crafted from Barbie Dolls

Silver jewelry designer Margaux Lange crafts silver rings, necklaces, and brooches from sterling silver and Barbie parts. She calls her work the “Plastic Body Series” and sells it online (via etsy.com) and in galleries. Her silver jewelry features items like the “purple smile ring” – in which Barbie’s lips and nose are set inside a ring -- and the “Feelin’ Blue Earrings” which feature a single blue Barbie eye in each drop earring.

Barbie, the famous 11.5 inch doll, was invented by Mattel in 1959. Through the decades, despite criticism from feminists, Barbie has remained a popular doll. She has evolved through thousands of versions and even more outfits and accessories. This March, Barbie will be turning 50, and Mattel is celebrating with parties, partnerships, and products.

In a recent interview for the New York Time’s Magazine, Lange talks about the process of creating her Barbie silver jewelry. She has a large Barbie collection, but most of the dollars are in pieces, arranged according to body part.

“The face is sort of soft rubber, so I can literally carve out, say, her eyes, her mouth,” Lange told the magazine.

Lange’s silver jewelry has been featured in numerous galleries, as well as in several books, magazines, and television.